Awaiting Mastectomy...terrified

Hi Carmilla, I can only talk on the mastectomy side as I did not have reconstruction.  The actual op itself is not too bad, I woke up with no pain and, apart from a problem with the drain pressing on a nerve, no pain from there onwards.  It is just a bit of discomfort which is easily dealt with by painkillers.  I was told to ensure that I took my painkillers when due and not to wait until any pain was felt so that they stay in your system.  I am now nearly 8 weeks post op and am virtually back to normal.

Hi Carmilla81

Hope I can ease your worries. I had a bilateral mastectomy on Friday just gone. I'd never been into hospital before apart from having my son so I too was feeling all that you are feeling now. Everyone involved in the op from the nurses, to anesthetist  and my consultant did ease my nerves and were so so lovely, in fact my surgeon said have a good sleep before giving me a lovely reassuring smile.  

I stayed in hospital for 2 nights and then sent home with drains and pico dressings on each side. In fact, I've had one of my drains removed today

I haven't had pain as such just discomfort but I'm ensuring I keep taking the painkillers to ensure I remain relatively pain free. You are bound to be nervous but just keep that end goal in your head that your uninvited guest will be gone.

Sending you much love

Hello Carmilla,

It is a scary thing, but hold on to the notion that lots and lots of women have been there ahead of you, including me. I had a left mastectomy with immediate reconstruction (LD flap with implant) nearly 5 years ago now. I had BC in both breasts, but in one side there was too much to remove with clear margins, so hence the radical surgery. 

It was particularly worrying for me because I also have chronic kidney disease and so I was concerned about all sorts of aspects of how treatment might affect my kidneys, especially how a long period of general asthenia might affect things.

At the end of the day, the op went well, I returned home 4 days later and pretty much got back to normal, even with some drains still in place - I put my drains in an over-shoulder shopping bag and then went out for a walk, admittedly a slow walk for the first few days, but it was fine. I felt ready to go back to work a few weeks later, though had longer off work as the radiotherapy treatment had left me feeling exhausted ( I think it took me longer to recover from the radiotherapy than the mastectomy). Some things will be tricky - lying down to sleep felt like the most difficult thing ever for me, far more difficult than cooking dinner!. I did not have a lot of pain, just discomfort, bruising, soreness. But it passed in two to three weeks. Also, showering and dressing were a challenge - make sure you have plenty of loose clothing available for post op - the looser the better, stuff than you can easily pull on, wrap round, tie. 

Also, make sure you do your stretches post op - they really do help things get back to normal quickly. Having said that, some of the most day-to-day things took me much longer than expected to feel 'normal' again - slicing a loaf of bread! Straight after the op, using a bread knife felt so strange, almost as if I'd never cut a loaf before. However, these days the op is a distant memory. 

The surgeons and consultants will look after you. They have done lots of these procedures. Your breast care nurse will also be a wonderful source of support along with all the people on this website. 

If any of the above helps you have a bit more confidence, then that's great. Good luck Carmilla. 

Dear Lesley63, 

Thank you very much for your prompt reply!

It really means a lot to me hearing your experience and I am really glad to read that you are going back to normal. I am really looking forward to the day in which I will feel like I can leave a bit of this behind!

I will make sure to keep the painkillers close and stick to the schedule :)

Hi Fifitrix,

You surely help me feeling a bit more in control, thank you!

This is my first serious surgery…hopefully the last. I had a small one when I was a kid but too young to remember.

I have also been told I will stay in hospital a couple of nights and I hope I will have nice doctors and nurses as yours! And you are absolutely right, I need to keep focusing on the positive side, I am trying to convince myself that the surgery is not the enemy but my best ally! 

Wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery!

Hello 60sgirl,

Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience.

It is very helpful and you gave me a lot of things to think about and tips to get ready.

I am a bit of a control freak and knowing what to expect and how things might go really helps me feeling in control and surely more confident.

And yes, I absolutely need to remind myself that these people see these things all the time, they are experts and ready and it its so much better that they are the one in control instead of me :)

Thank you very much and I wish you all the best x

Hi Carmilla,

I just had a mastectomy this morning with sentinel node biopsy, went to sleep at 10 and was waking up in recover about 12.15, was in a bit of discomfort when I woke, but told the nurse and she gave me some morphine. Got back to the ward, felt a little bit sick due to being able to taste the gas they must have helped to get me to sleep. But once I had something to eat and drink that went. Chilled on the trolley for a couple of hours, by 3pm I was getting ready and sat in a chair. Got home at 4.30pm. I honestly feel absolutely fine, I’m surprised at how well I actually feel. Just had paracetamol and ibuprofen since coming home and there’s no pain, just a little discomfort where the drains are. 
But still managed to breastfeed my daughter on the other side. 

you will be absolutely fine! I have to wait for my reconstruction, but truth be told it’s not actually that bad! I thought it would have upset me more (I’m only 30). Best of luck, like everyone else has said, the nurses, surgeons, theatre team were all lovely, you’ll be in good hands. Sending lots of love x

Ps I should also add that when I woke up, I felt so relieved that it was gone! Due to start chemo in 4-6 weeks and can now focus on that. One step at a time x

Hi Supermama,

Apologies for taking so long to reply and thank you so much for your advice and for sharing your story!

I am happy to say that I went through surgery yesterday, and, even though I am in pain it feel great to know that the thing is not there anymore...we kicked it out!!!! 

I wish you all the best with your treatment and your bright future. Sending you a big hug! x

Hi Camilla81, I am also 2 days away from a mastectomy and am terrified. I have 2 small lumps on my right breast and was told a mastectomy is the best option. To say I was devastated is an understatement. Unless you are going through it no one can understand how you are feeling. Unfortunately I know exactly how you feel. Like you I just want my ‘uninvited guests’ gone.  Reading the experiences of the ladies here who have come out the other end is so uplifting.  They are so positive and it really helps. 
Wishing you all the best with your treatment. Xx